As we move through the draft season, the progress that injured hitters make is key to their development. One such way to discover their health is to see how they perform at Spring Training. In-game situations and usage will be key to understanding how healthy they might be come Opening Day. It will be important to see how a player is used, any workload restrictions, days off, and even how they are performing on the field. In doing so, we will be given a clearer indication of a player’s development whereas right now their future might be cloudy. Here are some more hitters to watch come Spring Training.
Monitor These 4 Hitters in the Spring
Shohei Ohtani, DH, Los Angeles Dodgers
Ohtani had himself an amazing 2023 season that unfortunately ended early due to injury. After a handful of starts halted due to arm fatigue, it was revealed that he had a torn UCL and would need surgery to repair it. On September 19, he would have a procedure done on his elbow, but the exact nature of it wasn’t completely revealed.
Shohei Ohtani has had successful surgery this morning. His agent, Nez Balelo, shared a statement: pic.twitter.com/MT5KtxSzJ1
— Sarah Valenzuela (@Sarah_IsabelVee) September 19, 2023
This offseason has been filled with intrigue, as Ohtani was a pending free agent. After much speculation, he signed a record $700 million contract with the Dodgers that would last for 10 years. He is recovering well and even faster than from the Tommy John Surgery he underwent back in 2018. He has been training this off-season with on-the-field workouts at Dodger Stadium, though the only visual evidence is that he has done some running.
SHOHEI OHTANI STAYS AT DODGER STADIUM PUTTING IN WORK THIS OFFSEASON🙏🔥
🎥: Jxggybrandon pic.twitter.com/vQRMuyjoG9
— Dodgers Nation (@DodgersNation) January 24, 2024
Remember that Ohtani will not pitch at all this upcoming season. Seeing him perform at the plate during Spring Training will be crucial. It is expected that he will be ready for Opening Day and will be the Dodgers’ designated hitter in 2024. He will return to pitching in 2025, and this season will mimic his 2019 season where he was exclusively the Angels’ designated hitter. That year he still produced quite well at the plate despite only appearing in 106 games. It’s hard to judge if the same will be true in 2024, but his workload and performance this Spring will help indicate how he feels physically. It is unclear if he will start the season by playing every day, as the team may want to protect their long-term investment.
Byron Buxton, DH/OF, Minnesota Twins
Byron Buxton is entering his 10th season with the Twins with an Injury History longer than most in baseball. He’s suffered many ailments over the years which have cost his number of games missed to be more than twice that of his games played. Last season was no different, as he spent a lot of time on the Injured List. Playing as the team’s designated hitter, he had just 347 plate appearances over 85 games played and wound up needing arthroscopic knee surgery.
Byron Buxton had an arthroscopic procedure to excise the plica in his right knee today, which the Twins hope will alleviate the patellar tendinitis risk and symptoms. Plan remains to get him ready for CF next year.
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) October 13, 2023
The biggest news from Buxton’s surgery was that the Twins have plans to play him in center field in 2024, which is a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, not being an exclusive shareholder in the designated hitter position will give others on the team a chance to rest by not having to play on the field every day. On the other hand, having to run around and chase baseballs has been detrimental to his health and causes a greater risk of future injury. All that being said, Buxton claims that he is healthy and ready to go:
Byron Buxton asked about playing in CF: “Oh yeah. I’m back.” #MNTwins TwinsFest Live pic.twitter.com/LhUv6M885K
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) January 27, 2024
Currently, Buxton is running three times a week, participating in live batting practice, and doing drills in the outfield. He is also running alongside a track coach with the hopes that when it’s time for Spring Training, he will be able to take batting practice with his teammates. The big word there is “hope” as there’s no certainty that this will come to fruition. The team has been checking in on him regularly this offseason to carefully monitor his road to redemption. Where this all leads to is anyone’s guess, but if his history is any indication, then it may all be for not. That being said, the talent is there, so seeing him run in the field, hit well, and possibly steal some bases this Spring Training will be a welcome sight.
Gavin Lux, SS, Los Angeles Dodgers
Before last season, Gavin Lux was believed to be on the verge of a mini-breakout. As someone who can put the bat to the ball, the hope was that he would solidify himself as a force near the bottom of the lineup and possibly become an everyday player at shortstop. Those hopes and dreams were shattered in the spring when Lux got injured and tore his ACL and MCL.
Gavin Lux’s surgery “went well,” Roberts said. In addition to the torn ACL, Lux also had a torn LCL that had to be repaired. Roberts didn’t know Lux’s exact recovery timeline yet
— Jack Harris (@ByJackHarris) March 8, 2023
Since then, he has been hard at work to return. Last summer he began running the bases and did so according to schedule. He then began swinging from a tee late in the summer while not suffering any setbacks. This offseason too, he has received nothing but high praise from everyone in the organization for his hard work, dedication, and the potential that has been foretold for his 2024 season.
#Dodgers GM Brandon Gomes said Gavin Lux is progressing well in his rehab from last spring's devastating knee injury. Expectation is for him to be ready for spring training and be the primary SS in 2024 — same expectations as going into last spring, Gomes said.
— Bill Plunkett (@billplunkettocr) November 8, 2023
It will be imperative that Lux returns 100% healthy and ready to compete. The original timeline for a return was slated to be 12 months, and that period will expire early in March. He has been seen working out on the field, albeit with a knee brace, but things are looking good for him. It will be interesting to see if he begins off in a tepid manner by limiting his stolen base attempts and non-aggressively playing in the field. If he’s able to return to the player he once was, then the praise received by the team may be more true than not this upcoming season.
Tommy Edman, 2B/SS/OF, St. Louis Cardinals
Tommy Edman has been one of baseball’s most versatile players throughout his career. Over his five seasons as a member of the Cardinals, he has at least nine appearances at every position possible excluding first base and catcher. His ability to help his team whenever he is needed is very significant, which makes his off-season injury a subject of concern.
#STLCards utility ace Tommy Edman, who is slated to open the season as the club’s starting CF, underwent arthroscopic surgery on his right wrist in October, POBO John Mozeliak told MLB (dot) com on Thursday. The Cards are confident that Edman will be ready for Spring Training.
— John Denton (@JohnDenton555) January 4, 2024
Edman opted for the surgery, as he could never get himself quite right after aggravating it in the season. His timing of the surgery might be detrimental to his worth as there are reports that he will be slow to start and won’t be ready for Spring Training.
Edman says he may be slightly delayed on the hitting side heading into camp. Going through a progression. He expects to be ready for opening day, but hasn’t had any bat to ball contact (other than wiffle balls in his rehab) this winter.
— Jeff Jones (@jmjones) January 15, 2024
Right now, the biggest concern is getting Edman ready for Spring Training. He has yet to be cleared for bat-to-ball contact, and these delays are something to monitor. While there is still time to go before the Cardinals gather at their Spring Training complex, any delays only cloud the future for Edman. Wrist injuries make hitting for power more difficult from which to recover. Edman’s power is already small to begin with, which could diminish even more if there are further complications. He will need to hit the ball hard at camp to retain any value he once had. Otherwise, his worth might be much more valuable in real life than it is in the fantasy baseball world.
For more of the great fantasy baseball rankings and analysis you’ve come to expect from FantraxHQ, check out our full 2024 Fantasy Baseball Draft Kit! We’re here for you all the way up until Opening Day and then on into your championship run.